The Milwaukee Bucks didn’t wait until pregame to determine Giannis Antetokounmpo’s playing status for Game 2 of their Eastern Conference playoff series with the Indiana Pacers, instead downgrading the two-time league Most Valuable Player from doubtful to out at 3:30 p.m. CT in advance of a 7:30 p.m. tip-off tonight at Fiserv Forum.

"Shot today, he was on the floor a bunch, so he's getting closer," Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said before the game.

He had been doubtful to play Game 1, also, but was not ruled out until Rivers noted it in his pregame press conference.

The Bucks won the first game of the series 109-94 behind 35 first half points by Damian Lillard and double-doubles by Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis.

Rivers said Antetokounmpo had been on the court in some capacity for four straight days prior to a planned “maintenance day” on Monday. Prior to that, he had what the coach called a "brisk" workout before Game 1.

The star strained a left soleus (calf) muscle on April 9.

GAME 2: Bucks playoff game vs. Pacers is blacked out tonight in Milwaukee on NBA TV. Here's how you can watch.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Is Giannis playing tonight? Bucks injury report for game vs Pacers